Fuel heater



E. M. DUNNER Aug. 29, 1933.

FUEL HEATER Filed Dec.

E Mg? Patented Aug. 29, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE Application December 15, 1932 Serial No. 647,483

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a means for and process of conditioning gasoline or automotive fuel before the same reaches the carburetor so that when delivered to the carburetor, it will have reached its limit of expansion with consequent absorption of the maximum volume of air, and will be in a condition for immediate and more efiicient cracking and vaporization so as to generally provide a more combustible mixture, one in which the maximum volume of air is used, and whereby liquid fuel is eliminated and cannot pass the piston and drain into the crank case to dilute the oil.

A further object is to provide a construction which may be adjusted in a novel manner so as to give a very sensitive control for attainment of the objects mentioned.

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawing illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawing:-

Figure 1 is a view in elevation, partly broken away, showing the invention applied to an exhaust pipe,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the parts of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a cross section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, and

Figure 4 is a cross section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Referring specifically to the drawing, 10 fragmentarily suggests a portion of the exhaust pipe of the internal combustion engine of a self-propelled vehicle.

In carrying out my invention, a casing or container 11 is provided which is of any suitable length and of substantially crescent shape in cross section as shown in Figure 4 so that it has an inner arcuate wall 12 substantially conforming to the curvature of the adjacent portion of the pipe 10. At one end adjacent the bottom of the casing, an inlet pipe 13 is connected to deliver gasoline or other fuel for the internal combustion engine. An outlet pipe 14 leads from the other end of the casing adjacent the top to the carburetor of such engine. Within the casing, a a series of baflles 15 are provided which are alternately perforated as at 16 adjacent opposite ends, thus requiring the fuel to follow a tortuous course from the point of delivery to the point of discharge of the fuel through the casing. It is obvious that the bailies or partitions 15 may extend at a right angle to the position shown or in any other preferred manner.

Fastened against the outer surface of the wall 12 is a spring or resilient clamp 1'7 which completely surrounds the pipe 10. The free ends of such clamp shown at 18, are secured together and around the pipe by a bolt 19.

In order that the fuel passing through the casing 11 may be heated to the accurate and sensitive degree required to attain the object set forth, it is necessary that the casing be adjustable with respect to the heater. To this end 5 lugs or brackets 20 are fastened to opposite ends of the heater, and have screws 21 threaded therein. The screws 21 may be screwed into direct contact with the exhaust pipe 10, thus permitting the wall 12 to move closer to the exhaust pipe or forcing that wall 12 farther away from the exhaust pipe, the adjustment being effected of course with the bolt 19 at the desired degree of tightening or adjustment. 7

In operation the liquid fuel is introduced to the carburetor in a heated and expanded condition while the air to be admixed therewith is admitted to the intake manifold in a cold condition. Because of the expansion of the liquid fuel, the mixture will be attenuated by the heat and. the cylinders therefor will take in less weight of charge.

Obviously the device may be made in various sizes according to the size of the particular exhaust pipe and may be made of any desired material.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:-

A fuel conditioner of the class described comprising a casing adapted to surround an exhaust pipe, the casing having inlet and outlet means for the fuel, a clamp on the casing intermediate ends to secure the casing about an exhaust pipe, and means acting counter to the clamp to abut the exhaust pipe, said clamp and last mentioned means coacting to adjustably secure the casing to the exhaust pipe according to the degree of heating desired for the fuel, the second mentioned means comprising a bracket on each end of the casing, screw members threaded in the brackets and adapted to abut the exhaust pipe.

EDWIN M. DUNNER. 

